April 05, 2007

This Old Nest

Well, I have been pretending it's Spring. I know the calendar says it is but we lost that springin feeling earlier this week when the thermometer
read 24!

A while ago, Drake brought in this huge nest he found in the backyard. We stood and examined it for a longggg time admiring it's fragile beauty. So many amazing pieces intertwined in it. I picked out some shreds of plastic, which made me sad thinking the former owner of this great nest could have choked on that plastic. Anyhoodle...

I've often admired the beautiful nests on Inspire Co. made by Amy's friend Deb. So I decided I would try my hand at whipping one up with this real nest.

Here are a few pictures...

It's hard to see but at the top of this photo, near the button, there's a bit of shimmery pink. A shred of pink crinkle stuff like for gift wrapping perhaps. That was already woven into this nest when Drake found it! A sign that the birdy who left it last fall had style....

In this old nest you'll now find ribbons, old beaded chains, vintage mother of pearl button strands, flower buds, old printed twill, lace and such with it's original feathers and dried grass...and lil pink crinkle shred. This was messy but so much fun!

Lastly, I added a bird (that I don't like but she'll do for now), a glittered letter "M" and an old dice which landed on the #5 for the five of us. After I find a better birdy I will put it under glass and it will go outside on the table on the deck for Easter. If I take the glass dome off of it now and then, I wonder if the neighborhood birds will pluck some of this colorful texture and weave it into their new nests?!

Oh, you did a BEAUTIFUL job! I'm sure the bird family would be pleased to see your remodeling efforts! I bet if you take the dome off, many a bird will borrow a bauble or two. I'm sure they like estate sales too! Hahaha. Reminds me.....I read once, years ago, that if you throw little ribbon strands and especially little puffs of batting in your back yard, the birds will gather it up for their nests. So, I did this. My husband thought I was nuts, even after I gave him my perfectly logical explaination. I know....whatever... But, then a year later....a YEAR later, we found TWO nests in our backyard with MANY of the things I threw in the back yard. They especially loved the batting. Interesting and fun. This would be great to do with kids if you have an area with trees.

Wow! I'm totally in love with this idea. It's so sad the other morning I saw a bird with a plastic bag in it's mouth and I chased all over the yard trying to grab it from him! He eventually dropped it, I guess out of fear of crazy me. But this nest is just perfect.

Teresa, I am so glad to hear that you have admired the NeSts I make for Miss Amy! It's quite a compliment to hear that from another designer! I really have a lot of fun creating new designs for the NeSts each season. (Wait till you see the summer ones I am working on....think 'birdie beach house')

I LOVE your nest 'remodel'! SO cute. When I make NeSts as gifts for friends, I do add alot of other stuff to them like you did. It's fun to scrounge around and find things that fit their personality & home(and clean up the studio at the same time...LOL).

I know you will find (or make!) the perfect little birdie to inhabit the lovely home you have created - Happy Spring!

Teresa, I have to tell you a funny story,. I made these large nests and filled them with blown eggs and a fake birds. I set them outside in urns. Well in a couple of days Chloe comes in with a shocked look and told me to come look. They were completely torn apart. The crows had cracked all the eggs, ripped apart the nest and had shredded the birds. We saw a crow flying around with a feather in its mouth. It ripped all the feathers off and just peck the hell out of it. I could not believe it. Although we laugh about it now. Clarice

Teresa --
I just had to tell you. I ordered your last Paper Bella kit (stash) and I just loved it!! I thought it was so clever. It's making me look at my chipboard sheets with new eyes! My DH didn't quite understand my enthusiasm as I kept running to show him the project in process, but then do we really expect them to understand?? LOL. Great stuff - thanks so much. Can't wait to see your next creation!
Kathi